Lambros and France
Lambretta F300 Three Wheeler
The F300 was marketed along side the FD 125 in France. It was available as chassis only, a pickup back version (with optional tarpaulin cover to resemble a closed box) and with an option of a 'habitacle' for the driver.
The F300 was a little cheaper than the Italian produced FD125 and had very similar performance specifications.
If is important to identify whether the three-wheeler is the F300 or the FD125 (and as both are 125cc) it is important to not assume that if it was purchased in France, its not necessarily an F300. Here are some useful identifying features to differentiate between them.
This list is by no means exhaustive, there are many differences and many similarities. These are some of the ones you are likely to see in photos. Amendments were also made to both vehicles over the course of their production, the pictures are taken from one specific parts manual for each model.
Component |
FD125 |
F300 |
Exhaust
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Rear Number Plate holder and light |
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Side marker lights |
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Horn |
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Battery Tray |
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Technical Specifications
Engine
| Type | Two Stroke | Ignition | Magnetic Flywheel |
| Bore | 52mm | Type | 4 pole |
| Stroke | 58mm | Power | 30 watts |
| Displacement | 123cm cubed 113 | Advance | 25 degrees (marked on the rotor) |
| Fiscal Power | 1 HP | ||
| Effective Power | 4 HP 8 at 5000rpm | Carburettor | Dell 'Orto MA 18 B 3 |
| Volumetric Ratio | 1 at 6.8 | Max Jet | 75 |
| Normal RPM | 4000 | Idle Jet | 45 |
| Maximum RPM | 5000 | Needle Position | Middle notch |
| Crank | connecting rod mounted on needle bearings | Clutch | 3 disc operating in oil |
| Number and Size of Needles | 26 needles x 11.8 |
Chassis
| Front Brake | via cable | Front Suspension | Forks |
| Rear Brakes | Hydraulic brakes operated with foot pedal | ||
| Handbrake operated by lever (via cable) | Rear Suspension | Leaf Spings | |
| Wheels | 8" rim | Tyres | 4 x 8 |
Capacities
| Capacity of Casing | 0.5 litre | Weight | Unladed inc accessories (spare wheel, jack &tools) |
| Capacity of petrol tank | 7.5litres | Bare Frame | 130kg |
| Capacity of Reserve | 0.7 litre | Pickup Model | 170kg |
Dimensions
| Bare Chassis | Pickup | Tarpaulin Back | |
| Length (m) | 2.430 | 2.540 | 2.540 |
| Height (m) | 0.950 | 0.990 | 1.800 |
| Ground Clearance (m) | 0.125 | 0.125 | 0.125 |
| Width (m) | 1.300 | 1.300 | 1.300 |
*Figures taken from the Notice D'Entretien - specifics may vary depending on model and year
Documents and Downloads
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Notice D'Entretien |
 | Catalogue de Piéces Détachées |
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Catalogue de Piéces Détachées |
 | ADDITIFS Catalogue de Piéces Détachées |
Lambro 125
Although the 175cc and 200cc versions of the Lambro were marketed and sold in France, The Lambro 125 was the 125cc version of the Lambro 175 and Lambro 450. The Lambro 125 was built in Milan at the Innocenti factory alongside the 175cc and 200cc versions. The Lambro 125 was known previously as the Lambretta Li 125 (Fli 125).
The 125cc engine meant that the Lambro 125 was a 'sans permis' vehicle. This allowed anyone over the age of 16 to drive the Lambro with no driving licence.
The earlier Lambro 125, based on the Lambro 175 shared the chassis prefix of M41 but the later Lambro 125 based on the Lambro 450 had the chassis prefix of M41/5.
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Square Cab Lambros
The Lambro 500L was produced with a 125cc for the French market although as previously it was marketed alongside the larger 200cc 550V model (the one with the steering wheel).
Very few of the Lambro 500L were produced with the 125cc engine for the French market.